Jamie Vardy could be set for a move to Italy, with Serie A side Cremonese initiating talks with the veteran striker as interest in his signature begins to heat up.

The Italian side got off to a winning start at the weekend, in their first season back in the top flight, beating AC Milan 2-1.

The 38-year-old, who turns 39 in January, had reportedly been open to a move to Celtic, with suggestions earlier this month that he was keen to reunite with former manager Brendan Rodgers. However, Celtic have made no contact with the striker, despite the noise surrounding a possible deal.

Brendan Rodgers, when asked about Vardy last week, didn’t close the door completely but gave little away.

“Listen, I would not speak about any individual player,” said Rodgers to CeltsAreHere. “Of course I worked really well with Jamie, he was brilliant for me in my time at Leicester. But there’s been so many names floated about. I wouldn’t disclose either way.”

Now, respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Cremonese have made the first move, initiating contact with Vardy’s camp as they look to convince the striker to join their project. Multiple clubs in Italy are thought to be monitoring the situation.

With Celtic turning their attention to younger, more long-term attacking options like Sambou Soumano, the Vardy speculation appears to be fading. A fairytale reunion at Celtic Park looks increasingly unlikely as the former Premier League winner weighs up a different kind of challenge in Serie A.